There was no shortage of drama at Ace Speedway last night as the Rolling Thunder Modifieds closed out their 2008 season. Aubrey Thurston came into the race a mere 50 points ahead of second-place Doug Paasch, and 100 points ahead of defending 2007 Champion, A.J. Winstead in which the event being a double-points race, anything could, and did happen.
After activities were delayed until early afternoon due to rainy weather, qualifying placed Thurston on the pole, with Paasch directly behind him in 3rd after the inversion. Winstead was unable to start the event, once agian plaged with motor issues.
Shortly after the green flag dropped, a caution was thrown for Paasch as he and Tony Ingram spun in turn 1. With Thurston leading the race and Paasch sent to the rear of the field for the spin, Aubrey had by fate been given a brief cushion. That cushion was dissolved on lap ten when Thurston was hit by Billy Morris sending him spinning causing a massive multi-car pileup involving seven of the lead cars. When the race resumed, Thurston found himself at the end of the lead lap…Paasch now found himself in the lead and his championship hopes still alive. Joe Scarbrough and Darrell Bryson suffered only minor damage in the melee and after brief stops on pit road, managed to get back out on the track. Ronnie Davis, Tony Ingram, and Tony Ingram II retired from the race.
After racing resumed, Paasch took off and began putting several car lengths between his car and the rest of the field, while at the back, Thurston’s car began to fade as a result of the contact with Morris and was being passed by many of the remaining cars in the event. It all looked as if Paasch was about to realize his first championship in the tour when disaster struck. After 22 laps of leading and pulling away, the distributor on the #2 machine went away, and unfortunately so did the chances of a championship.
With Paasch out of the event, Thurston only had to hold finish the race to clinch his first championship, which he managed to do, one lap down to the race winner Joe Scarbrough. In victory lane, there was much celebrating. Donned in 5-time RTM Series Champion Thomas Stinson’s signature flame racing suit Aubrey received handshakes, high-fives and from his fellow competitors, as well as a big hug from the Ace Speedway Mascot. Afterwards, he entertained the fans with a signature burnout across the frontstretch.
Although Aubrey did not win in 2008, he did what it takes to be a champion. He was consistant. With 11 races under his belt, Nine of those resulted in a top-5 finishes. Aubrey also managed to keep his nose clean and managed to avoid the majority of the accidents which occured this season. The RTM Tour and Red Man Moist Snuff congratulates the entire #21 team for their hard-earned accolades, as well as to #2 Doug Paasch and #99 AJ Winstead for their hard work and tough points battle.
In addition, Hunter Slayton beat out his fellow rookie class to become the 2008 CDOC Rookie of the Year.
1. #30 Joe Scarbrough
2. #77 Hunter Slayton
3. #01 Darrell Bryson
4. #21 Aubrey Thurston
5. #27 Andy Kemp
6. #13 Jason Cook
7. #2 Doug Paasch
8. #14 Ronnie Davis
9. #7 Tony Ingram II
10. #9 Tony Ingram
11. #2x Larry Penny
12. #06 Gary Wheaton, Jr.
13. #91 Dean Slappey
14. #99 AJ Winstead
15. #20 Billy Morris DQ
Pole: #14 Ronnie Davis
